The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-01-15
CHAPTER III

AI1A1 AL
HOW THE COLONEL FULFILLED HIS TASK
Miss Veronica Browne, sisters child
ward up TO the time she reached her ma
jority, and now most profitable client Of
the gentleman IN the neat black frock- coat
and high hat, who was making signals to
Colonel Lyndon, deserves few words Of
introduction.
She was said 10 DE American, and
the self possession OF her manners,
her independence Of relatives and
friends, and her large command Of
money, gave color 10 this supposition. AS
a fact, however. she WAS the daughter of
English parents. They died when she
was child, and she was then committed 10
the guardianship of cousin of her fathers,
who had settled IN America years before,
and married an American lady. Childless
themselves, this sEniable couple gave al
most more than the love Of parents to the
orphan slrl who had been intrusted to
them. Veronica was then the inheritress
of a moderate fortune, for her father and
mother had both had money, and she was
their only child. Her adopted parents not
only nursed her patrimony for her. but left
her everything they possessed themselves.
On the death of her foster father, which
took place two or three years before the
opening of this story-be had followed his
wife to the grave by only few months
Veronica found herself in possession of u
very large fortune indeed. The Will was
disputed by the testator's brother. He was
himself man of some considerable
wealth. Had it been otherwise, or had he
been even ordinarily friendly toward his
brother during his lifetime, Veronica, whe
was rather more pnzZled than elated to find
herself, as she would have expressed it, SO
ridiculously rich, would have been willing
to have given mp part Of the property to
him. As 1t was, her spirit rose. She was
indignant at The idea of this cruel, careless
man. who had treated his brother and his
brothers wife with the grossest, neglect,
profiting by their death. She fought hin.
III the law courts Of America and the law
courts of England, in both of which coun-
tries her foster-parents had possessed
landed property, and she was victorious ali
round.
The lawsuits, whose course was fol-
lowed with keen interest by T.ultitudes of
people, made Veronica famous. When,
acting on the advice of ker uncle. Mr..
Alexander Smith, she came over to In
gland, she had no difficulty in making hel
way into society.
Her appearance and personal qualitie,
helped her 10 keep the position which her
wealth and notoriety had made for her. 4,
the time of which write, there was scarcely
more popular woman In London than
Veronica Browne.
She had now been IN England a little
over year. She had lived principally in
London, which possessed en- extraordinary
fascination for her. She had begun t0
think, however. for various reasons some
of which We shall hear later, that il might
be well for her TO take place in the conn
try, and one of her objects in her visit 10
/ the North was TO look round for some Mac.
on wtich 10 pitch her TINT
IT u needless 10 say that Miss Browne.
the amount of whose fortune. thanks 10 the
disputed VIII, was well known to every one
who tooS an Interest in such matters had
been "ooet again and again. woosl also
/ bN gentlemen whose mere notice .gculd
have been considered an honor be mos.
women. She had not, however. allowed
herself TO be Won, She liked her libsriy.
She enjoyed, innocently enough. the oh.
seryance with which she was surrounded
snd her blaIG one OF the most active. rest
/. less brains that woman has ever bean
gifted with was fu!l of schemes. most of
which, AS sue felt. would perish netfiel If
she gave herself a husband
As fegarts appearance, Veronica was in
INC iuIites sense OF the word. a handsome
woman. Tai and somewhat full OF figure
with clear complexion. flashing ! rown
eyes, and profusion OF dark, curly hair
she vas girl who would have bee, no.
tloed even IL crowd.
VI course, she dressed 10 perfection.
She had learned The ant OF dressing in
America, and had pgact:ced ii III Pari-. r,,.
der the best masters and miStresses Of IA
httle-knoTn scieue.. Nhertvzr -, g.,..
and whatever she Wa ,io-u.. hers.yl. a.
dress was appropriate 10 tie o.c.t....,
save that Il vas s" very appropriate. so
perIees u rs WY, t-tre Was never auy -
mark 10 he made about ii.